Car-bolster.



No. 781,115. l PATBNTED 11111.31, 1905. 0.1. WESTLAKE.

l GARBOLSTBR.; APPLICATION PILTED NOV. 23, 1904.

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middle of the bolster A respectively to their UNITED STATES PatentedJanuary 31, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CAR-'BOLSTEFh SPECIFICATION forming partA of Letters Patent No. 781,115, dated January 31, 1905.

Application mea November 2s, 1904. 'serai No; 234,041.

Be it known that I, CHARLES T Wns'rLAKE. i

a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State ofMissouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Bolsters, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a car-bolster, and has for its object to providea rigid and durable bolster having the moments of inertia about itshorizontal and vertical axes equal, or, in other words, adapted toresist strain alike in a vertical and horizontal direction.

The invention consists in features of novelty, as hereinafter describedand claimed,- reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, Whereon- Figure l is a top plan of acar-truck bolster constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, asideelevation thereof; Figs. 3 and 4, vertical transverse sections throughthe bolster on lines 3 3 and 4 4, respectively, in Fig.

' 2 looking from the right; and Fig. 5, an end elevation thereof. Fig. 6is a vertical longitudinal section through a modified end por tion ofthe bolster, and Fig. 7 a horizontal section thereof on line 7 7 in Fig.6.

Like letters and .numerals of reference de,-

vnote like parts in all the figures.

' A represents my improved car-bolster, which is composed, preferably,of cast-steel integral throughout, and consists of a centrallongitudinal fianged member, preferably an I-beam a, vertically arrangedand having its web 1 intersected at right angles and preferablyintermediately to its upper and lower flanges 2 by the web 3 .of asimilar flanged member or I-beam b, the Webs land 3 having, preferably,4lightening-holes 4 5, respectively, therethrough, las shown, or they maybe solid throughout, if desired. The flanges 6 of the beam?) areopposite and vertically parallel to the web l of the beam L at asuitable distance from each Aside thereof, respec:

tively, and form the sides of the body of the bolster A. The fianges 2and 6 of the beams t and b converge longitudinally from the ends, wherethey are united to the laterallywidened end portions c of the bolster A,each end portion c being preferably box-shaped and adapted on its underside to bear upon the bolster-springs, (not shown) the web l of the beamt extending longitudinally through each end portion c between the topand bottorn plates or walls 7 7 thereof to the corre.- sponding end ofthe bolster A, as shown. rIhe web 3 of the beam 7) preferably intersectswith the Web lv of the beam a in proximity to the upper anges 2 of thelatter and unites therewith at their convergent ends and with the topplates or Walls 7 of the end .portions c, as shown; but, if desired, theweb 3 may intersect with the Web l at a greater or less distance fromthe upper flanges 2, as found most suit-able.

The general outline or configuration of the bolster A maybe as'shownthat is to say, with its maximum depth in the middle and thenceinclined at the top, sides, and bottom toward the laterally-widened endportions c, which are of reducedl depth and preferably horizontal, orthe configuration of the bolster A may be otherwise modified withoutdeparture from the principle of its construction.

If desired, the flanged members ct and b, in lieu of being I-shaped, asdescribed, `may be channel or Z shaped; but I prefer an I shape as thebest adapted to eect the object of my invention.

In the case of a body-bolster the box-shaped for the bolster-springs,are dispensed With and the flanged members aand b continued in lieuthereof to the ends of the bolster A and adapted vthereat for bolting tothe car-sills.

The center plate cl, which is of the usual shape for receiving the bodycenter plate, is preferably integral with the beams et and Z) at themiddle lof the bolster A and perforated centrally for the king-bolt,(not shown,) or

the center plate may be of separate construcion and secured to the bodyof the bolster by olts.

e represents the side bearings, which are preferably integral With theupper flanges 2 of the beam ct adjacent to their junction with the endportions c of the'bolster A, and f -end portions c, as adapted on theirunder side represents the lugs or guides for the truckcolumns andpreferably integral with the sides of the end portions 0.

The advantage of the above construction of the bolster A is that bymaking the beams a and b I-shaped, with their webs 1 and 3 intersectingeach other at right angles or respectively vertieal and horizontal, theyare of the best shape and in the most favorable position relatively toeach other for resisting vertical and horizontal strains on the bolsterwith the least amount of material and maximum strength and rigidity.

Figs. 6 and 7 show the end portions c of the bolster open at the bottomfor receiving the bolster-springs, (not shown,) which bear at theirupper ends against the top plate or wall 7 in lieu of against the bottomplate 7, as previously described, and which in this case is omitted, theweb l of the bolster also in this Case terminating With its anges 2 attheir junction with the inner transverse walls 8 of the end portions c.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A car-bolster consisting of two flanged members intersecting eachother at right angles, the iianges of the said members respectively converging longitudinally from the middle of the bolster toward the endportions thereof, the said end portions being adapted to bear on thebolster-springs, and the said bolster having the center plate and theside bearings united thereto, substantially as described.

2. A ear-bolster consisting of two anged members intersecting each otherat right angles, the flanges of the said members respectively converginglongitudinally from the middle of the bolster toward the ends thereof,the said bolster having the center plate and the side bearings unitedthereto, substantiallyas described.

3. A car-bolster composed of cast-steel integral throughout, andconsisting of two I- shaped beams intersecting each other at rightangles, the flanges of the said beams respectively converginglongitudinally from the middle of the bolster toward the end portionsthereof, the said end portions being adapted to bear on thebolster-springs, and the said beams having the center plate, and theside bearings integral therewith, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES T. VESTLAKE.

Witnesses:

MARY D. lVIuTooMB, EDWARD W. FURRELL.

